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Russian plane crash: snowplow driver was drunk

FILE - In this March 2, 2011 file photo, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, listens to French energy giant Total CEO Christophe de Margerie after a signing ceremony at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia. The CEO of French oil giant Total SA was killed when his corporate jet collided with a snow removal machine Monday night, Oct. 20, 2014, at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport, the company said. Total "confirms with deep regret and sadness" that Chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie died in a private plane crash at the Moscow airport, the company said in a press release dated Tuesday, Oct. 21, and posted on its website. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) FILE - In this March 2, 2011 file photo, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, listens to French energy giant Total CEO Christophe de Margerie after a signing ceremony at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia. The CEO of French oil giant Total SA was killed when his corporate jet collided with a snow removal machine Monday night, Oct. 20, 2014, at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport, the company said. Total "confirms with deep regret and sadness" that Chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie died in a private plane crash at the Moscow airport, the company said in a press release dated Tuesday, Oct. 21, and posted on its website. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

By Associated Press October 21, 2014 1 min read

MOSCOW (AP) – Russian investigators say the driver of a snowplow that collided with a corporate jet at a Moscow airport, killing the CEO of French oil giant Total, was drunk.

Total S.A. confirmed “with deep regret and sadness” that Chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie died in the crash at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport.

Three crew members, all of them French citizens, also died when the French-made Dassault Falcon 50 collided with the snowplow during takeoff late Monday.

Russia’s main investigative agency said Tuesday the driver of the snowplow was under the influence of alcohol.

The 63-year-old de Margerie rose through the ranks at Total to become CEO in 2007, and added the post of chairman in 2010.